“ FILMAR en América Latina is the largest festival dedicated to Latin American cinema and cultures in Switzerland.

Founded in 1999 and based in Geneva, the FILMAR en América Latina Festival supports independent cinema and filmmakers from Latin America. Every November, it offers audiences the opportunity to watch films rooted in the social and political realities of the continent, featuring both classic masterpieces and new releases, including many premieres. It also serves as a platform that highlights minorities, including Indigenous and Afro-descendant cultures as well as LGBTIAQ+ communities.

With activist and socially engaged films, personal testimonies, retrospectives of influential cinema figures, and debut works by emerging talents, the festival’s programming reflects the richness, diversity, and histories of Latin America across seven sections.

FILMAR is also a space for dialogue and connection between Geneva audiences and Latin American filmmakers who travel to the city for the occasion. Roundtables and conferences on contemporary issues are organized in partnership with Swiss institutions and non-profit organizations. Festival-goers are also invited to fiestas, where they can discover Latin American gastronomy and music during the after FILMAR events.

The festival also places great importance on young audiences, offering a dedicated program for budding cinephiles. Through FILMARcito, children are invited to experience feature films and short film series with their families or in extracurricular settings. Additionally, FILMAR École presents school screenings throughout the year, tailored to different educational levels and disciplines.

Each edition concludes with an awards ceremony, where the Audience Award and the Young Jury Award are presented to two standout films from the competitive sections FOCUS SUD and OPERA PRIMA. “